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The Origin of Table Tennis
Table Tennis is currently controlled by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926. However, the game originated as a sport in Britain during the 1800s, where it was played amongst the upper-class as an after dinner entertainment activity, commonly known then as "wiff-waff". A row of books were to be stood up along the center of the table as a net, two more books served as rackets and were used to continuously hit a golf-ball from one end of the table to the other. Later, table tennis was played with paddles made of cigar box lids and balls made of champagne corks. Eventually, table tennis evolved into the modern game it is today.
Table Tennis as a Sport
Since 1988, table tennis has been an Olympic sport which includes four event categories. From 1988 until 2004, these were: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles. Since 2008 the doubles have been replaced by the team events.
The sport is played by two or four players hitting a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth across the table tennis table with wooden rackets. The game takes place on a hard surface divided by a net. Except for the initial serve, players must allow a ball played toward them only one bounce on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side. Points are awarded when a player fails to return the ball. Play is fast and demands quick reactions training the players to have impressive hand eye coordination and quick response time. A skilled player can impart several varieties of spin to the ball, altering the balls angle and limiting an opponent's options is a great advantage.
Whether you’re playing Table Tennis, Ping Pong, or Wiff-Waff you and your friends and family are sure to enjoy great times around the new table!